Early pressure on Julen Lopetegui at West Ham may be harsh but fans have voiced frustrations over his integration of new signings.
After committing £155m to sign nine players, Hammers fans were looking forward to an exciting new-look team this season.
Julen Lopetegui has struggled for performances or results so far at West Ham.
The Irons have won two, lost three and drawn one of their first six games under the Spaniard.
Lopetegui’s team has looked very vulnerable at the back, though. In fact West Ham have given up more shots than any other side – 83 in five Premier League games. That’s 20 more than the next worst.
At the other end West Ham are struggling to create quality chances too. The Hammers have the second fewest big chances created so far with just seven.
Coupled with three home league defeats on the bounce for the first time in the club’s history and Lopetegui is already under pressure.
Not only from the media but the owners and fans too.
Supporter frustration has only been heightened by Lopetegui’s use – or lack of use – of the summer signings.
Striker Niclas Fullkrug was kept on the bench for the first three Premier League matches. Much to the striker’s own frustration.
Fullkrug has since missed the Fulham and Chelsea matches through an injury sustained on international duty with Germany.
Arguably the club’s star capture of the summer, centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, has had even less game time.
Hammers fans frustrated by lack of game time for new stars
Todibo has all the ingredients West Ham are sorely missing in defence.
Hammers fans were gobsmacked when UEFA put out a video montage of Todibo last week showing his array of skills and pace.
Yet he has barely kicked a ball for West Ham so far. And when the 24-year-old did start – against Bournemouth in the cup – he was taken off at half-time.
Crysencio Summerville has been restricted to a bench role too, much to the frustrations of supporters.
When he did get a start against Chelsea, Summerville was West Ham’s best player. But Lopetegui subbed him off in the second half to jeers from the Hammers faithful.
Carlos Soler arrived on deadline day and has made a couple of substitute cameos too.
Now fans will despair at Lopetegui’s response on two new West Ham stars they’re desperate to see.
The top source inside the club told exclusively told Hammers News on Sunday that West Ham’s owners are disappointed with Lopetegui’s treatment of Todibo.
The source revealed Lopetegui feels Todibo is ‘not tough enough for the Premier League at the moment’.
But West Ham fans have been arguing, justifiably, that the only way for players to adapt, get stronger and reach full match fitness is to play games.
That’s why supporters wanted the new players to be put straight in the team from the start. By now, most would be well up to speed and would know each other’s games.
Now fans will despair at Lopetegui’s new comments on the situation regarding Todibo and Soler.
Fans will despair at Lopetegui response on Todibo and Soler
Because while he did not want to give his team away for Wednesday’s game at Liverpool, Lopetegui appeared to cast doubt over whether Todibo or Soler could start.
“We’re going to try to be balanced, so we can compete at our best tomorrow,” Lopetegui said in his pre-match press conference.
“We’re focused on the game tomorrow – the first aim for us now is Anfield, and we have to be 100 per cent concentrated on that.
“All of the squad have to be ready…
“It’s true we have a lot of new players, and some who are new to England, but we are one team.
“They (Todibo and Soler) are still adapting, but we’re working for everyone to be able to contribute throughout the season.”
How Lopetegui can expect players to adapt to English football without actually playing English football is puzzling to say the least.
The board have even stated Todibo ‘deserves games’.
The Frenchman needs to start five Premier League matches to trigger his permanent move to West Ham.
So even if he does start at Liverpool it won’t count towards that.
Soler showed glimpses of his passing talent in the appearances against Chelsea and Fulham.
With Lucas Paqueta and his fellow midfielders out of form, he took has a case to be starting.
It seems Lopetegui is intent to continue drip-feeding new signings into the side, though.
Time will tell if that is the right approach.
Related Topics